Simply Cardinal

Betty J. James nee McDaniel
Born August 5, 1930 in Melrose Park Illinois passed away peacefully December 7, 2024 in Elgin Illinois.

Betty grew up in Maywood Illinois with her large family of 12. Nine siblings and her parents, all girls and one boy who have all predeceased her.
She worke...

Simply Cardinal

MaryJo Kazimer ( MJ, Marjo) passed away peacefully on October 31, 2023 at the age of 68. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph T. Kazimer II, and her mother, Mary McCusker Kazimer. Beloved mother of Desiree Day Schultz (Ken Sporich) and Olivia Theresa Nusbaum. Beloved partner of 25 years t...

Simply Cardinal

On a cold January afternoon, I got a call asking if I was available to sit with a patient in our local hospital – my first shift as a NODA volunteer. I arrived at the hospital several hours later for my shift, relieving the volunteer who had come before me. As I sat holding vigil for a sweet soul laying peacefully in the hospital bed in her final hours of life, I realized in a moment of sadness that for reasons that did not matter, nor was I privy to, this person had no family or friends that were able to be with her. Our NODA community rallied and set up a rotating schedule of volunteers who would sit with her around the clock each taking three-to four-hour shifts ensuring she would not be alone on this journey.

Tannis Dorscht reflects on her volunteer service to the No One Dies Alone program and how we are more similar than different in our final days: https://hubs.li/Q02wXkrF0

Image description: Image of person in a bed blurred in the background. Someone's hands are holding the hand of the person in the bed. Text: As I held her frail, withered hand, in awe of each wrinkle and fold, I was brought into a free, liberating space never experienced before in my adult life.